Opinion: Cannabis is now convenient, but don’t sacrifice access to seeds

By Gregg Padula

Thursday

Dec 13, 2018 at 9:26 AMDec 13, 2018 at 5:35 PM

I was leaving for work when I caught a quick glimpse on the news of the chaotic scenes playing out as opening day of our state’s first adult-use cannabis retailers opened their doors to the public Nov. 20. A sea of excited consumers descended upon the shops, elated at the idea of legally purchasing cannabis over the counter.

But I didn’t feel a shared sense of victory with the people on the screen. I’m concerned cannabis consumers are choosing convenience over sustainability.

My worry is that by welcoming giant corporations to run the Massachusetts cannabis industry, the people could unknowingly be surrendering their access to seeds. And not just the seed itself, but the genetics contained within a seed’s DNA.

It’s no secret that biotechnology companies have their eyes on the cannabis industry. Certainly, commercial cannabis cultivation facilities would be open to using genetically modified seeds, eventually phasing out the original genetics if it meant a boost in profits.

For prospective homegrown cultivators, it’s just as hard to acquire quality cannabis seeds now than before its widespread social and legal acceptance. Where seeds were once a staple of any bag of cannabis until the mid-1990s, they have been bred out as cannabis genetics improved. The days when a missed seed found its way into a joint, resulting in a mini-explosion and possible beard scorching, are over. And while the manipulation of genetics has been incredible in maximizing cannabis’ medicinal qualities, it has made acquiring the seeds a confusing process with unclear boundaries.

Live cannabis seeds are federally illegal, like the plants they produce, and therefore fall under the same legalities as cannabis flower -- now in state control. In Massachusetts, Registered Marijuana Dispensaries, or RMDs, are technically the only entities allowed to sell cannabis -- so it’s no surprise those businesses aren’t promoting home cultivation of the plant making them millions. Sell the milk, not the cow.

This leaves prospective cultivators with few options for obtaining seeds -- hoping a friend has a source, attending cannabis-centric events, and the most common method, ordering them illegally from online seed banks.

Cannabis culture here in the commonwealth is electric. It seems like there are cannabis-centric events every night. These tend to be a sure thing for seed-seekers, who use the “gifting clause” as a loophole to legally allow for the personal sale of seeds. In a nutshell, the seller simply claims the $100 paid to them isn’t for the seeds, but for the jar they came in.

Events such as the New England Cannabis Convention, CannaCon and, most prominently, Worcester’s Harvest Cup are good places to start. A search of local cannabis events on Facebook will provide more than enough places to start.

The most-common method of acquiring cannabis seeds is still through the mail. Established seed banks in Canada and Amsterdam — such as DNA Genetics, Crockett’s Farm, Barney’s Farm and Sensi Seeds — have been more than willing to send seeds to patrons in the United States. They accept all forms of payment.

Law enforcement toward seed sales has always been one of those blurry areas, mostly glossed over. I have never heard of anyone arrested or punished for ordering cannabis seeds, and most reputable seed banks estimate fewer than 1 percent of orders are confiscated in the mail. Most will send another order free of charge if the seeds are lost or confiscated on their way here.

The benefit of ordering seeds from an online seed bank is the ability to choose the strain best suited for your needs. Difficult-to-find strains, such as those high in CBD, can be found at any major seed bank.

Genetic breeders also offer “feminized” seeds -- as female cannabis plants produce the flower. Planting random seeds will usually yield both male and female cannabis plants. If you do not separate the two sexes early enough, the male plants will pollinate the females, causing them to produce seeds and a much lower-quality cannabinoid than non-pollinated female plants. Male plants are mostly used for cross-breeding strains. If a male pollinates a growroom, the grow is typically terminated, and all is lost. Ordering feminized seeds alleviates the time-consuming process of growing plant after plant, until finding a female.

The sale of legal cannabis in the commonwealth has begun. The first glimpses have shown the repercussions of what I think may be one of the most-mishandled industries to date. Because of this, I cannot express how important it is that the people, not just the industry, work to preserve cannabis genetics and keep seeds plentiful. As long as we have the seeds, and the legal right to cultivate, we have the option of rejecting the current industry. This must not be lost. It all begins with a seed -- whether it’s a medicinal plant, or a revolution…so clench them in your hand tightly and don’t let go.

Gregg Padula is an employee of GateHouse Media New England. He has experience in several areas of the cannabis industry, and now serves as an advocate for both patients' and workers’ rights. He can be reached at gpadula@wickedlocal.com.